At a crossroads. Help me stay true.

[jleebiker]

I have been the BIGGEST proponent and supporter for WP for the last few years. I even had a demo WP phone to let people borrow and try out at their leisure. Well my venerable Trophy is finally on its last legs, the charging port is dieing. I would LOVE to upgrade to the 920, but I'm on Verizon and that's not an option. I might even think about the 8X, BUT...

I'm finding more and more accessories (hardware, software) are already just more mature on other platforms. It's kind of ironic actually, what got me thinking about this was the WPCentral Fitness stuff. All the accessories are compatible with iOS or Droid, but where's the WP love?

I also do alot of GPS and mapping. Where are the apps for storing Topo maps offline on the phone? I've tried a couple, but they're buggy and not mature.

There's just so much more integration for other platforms, while I see WP just getting stagnant. How many threads are there for "Where is" this or that? How long have we been waiting for certain things? Now Verizon isn't pushing the Portico update? WTH???

So I'm at a crossroads. Stick with WP in the hopes that it gets all the same options as the other OS's or actually switch and actually get some of these capabilities and functions in a device? Can someone convince me to stick with WP? Help me out. I really want to, but it's just getting overwhelming in the gap. Thanks.

 

[rockstarzzz]

If you really love WP, you will come back; because nothing will satisfy your needs as much as your love, not even the size (of app market or accessories market).

Anyone that posts under mine saying, stay we have plenty or we will get plenty of accessories "soon" will be optimistic for their own good but you won't have your heart here. Go, grab one of the devices that you think is going to work much better for you right now and come back soon!

 

[stmav]

Nobody knows better than you. Think about what you need, if WP has it, and go from there. But remember more threads are created by people with questions or problems, than those that are working fine and are happy.

Also if you're not sure about a certain model or what you can get on a certain carrier. You might have more options after MWC this week. Now your old faithful might not last until they come out, but if you want to stick around, you can find something cheap to hold you over.

Do what's best for you.

 

[eric12341]

Not really sure if leaving WP due to the aforementioned issues will help the platform grow nor actually solve the issues.

 

[tekhna]

Here's what kills me--the problem with something like Fitbit is that, as far as I understand it, the Windows Phone's bluetooth stack isn't even compatible with Fitbit, bluetooth HRMs or even smartwatches because it doesn't support bluetooth low energy and there's no API for serial profiles. This is basic basic stuff that Microsoft isn't providing.

 

[BeaverJuicer]

Here's what kills me--the problem with something like Fitbit is that, as far as I understand it, the Windows Phone's bluetooth stack isn't even compatible with Fitbit, bluetooth HRMs or even smartwatches because it doesn't support bluetooth low energy and there's no API for serial profiles. This is basic basic stuff that Microsoft isn't providing.

I use a FitBit tracker and the Aria scale... And the FitBit Companion app on my 920. I also have the "official" FitBit app on my iPad. Not once have I ever synced to my iPad, or missed Syncing to my phone. My tracker simply syncs to my computer automatically when I go to bed at night. I prefer MyFitnessPal app to anything put out by FitBit, and the app for WP8 is as good as anything out there.

Not having the ability to sync directly really doesn't take anything away from you.

 

[James8561]

Mapsnap GPS | Windows Phone Apps+Games Store (United States)
have you try this?
also i've read news about verizon 8x getting portico this week.

 

[scottcraft]

Mapsnap GPS | Windows Phone Apps+Games Store (United States)
have you try this?
also i've read news about verizon 8x getting portico this week.

I got Portico on my Verizon 8X last night. To the OP: if you're not satisfied with WP there's nothing wrong with trying another platform. Also don't be afraid to try the 8X. I had an 822 and ended up getting it swapped for an 8X due to problems I was having. The 8X is a very nice phone. In my opinion the only advantage the 822 has is ability to add a memory card.

 

[jleebiker]

James8561, do you know if I can use .PDF files with Mapsnap? I tried last night, but im just using the free trial right now.

 

[jleebiker]

This is part of what im talking about. Seems WP is always playing catch up. Yes there are some nice things about WP, but nothing earthshattering or ground breaking. Also, the hardware accessories aren't as prolific as the other ecosystems.

 

[Simon McKenzie]

Hi jleebiker,

Unfortunately MapSnap GPS can't read PDFs (it can only read images from the camera or media library), but if you save your PDF as a JPG and sync it with your phone, it can definitely handle that.

Cheers,

Simon McKenzie (MapSnap GPS developer)

 

[jleebiker]

Thanks Simon, I'll give that a try.

 

[xWisp]

Support the OS while you can, but if it doesn't meet your needs feel free to buy what does. No need to feel guilty, in the end its your hard earnt cash.
Though I guess you could always get an iPod touch on the side if you wanted it just for offline maps and fitness apps. . . I personally carry around an iPad still. That is the expensive option though.